PROCESS STD 201

FOSTER WHEELER FLUID FLOW Page 32 of 105

SINGLE PHASE Revision 2
PROCESS PLANTS DIVISION
Date 05/05/2004

TABLE 5 GUIDELINES FOR SIZING LIQUID LINES

‘Recommended’ High Limits

Item $P/100 Feet $P bar/100m Velocity ft/Sec Velocity m/sec
PSI

A. Pump Suction Lines (1) (5)

- Bubble point fluids (<8”) 0.5 0.11 6.0 1.8
- Bubble point fluids (>8”) 0.5 0.11 6.0 1.8
- Subcooled liquids (<8”) 2.0 0.45 8.0 2.4
- Subcooled liquids (>8”) 2.0 0.45 12.0 3.7
B. Pump Discharge Lines (CS) 4.0 0.91 20.0 6.1
Pump Discharge lines (Alloy/SS) 4.0 0.91 25.0 7.62
C. Liquid Transfer Lines 1.5 (2) 0.34 12.0 (2) 3.7
D. Cooling Water Lines 1.5 0.34 12.0 3.7
E. Steam Condensate Lines (2) (liquid) - - 2.0 0.61
F. Reboiler Trapout Lines (3) 0.3 0.07 5.0 1.5
G. Reboiler Return Lines 0.3 0.07 - -

Notes:

(1) Pump suction line diameters should normally not be more than two (2)
standard line sizes larger than the pump suction nozzle. Exceptions to this
rule should be approved by the respective chief engineer.

(2) Or as required by system pressure balance. Sour water line maximum velocity
may be lower depending upon temperature and metallurgy.

(3) See standard 103, Section 3.0, for tower draw-offs.

(4) If the liquid velocity is too high, swaged-up meter runs may be required.
Velocities for lines containing orifice plates should be limited to the following
values:

2” (0.05m) and up < 11.1 ft/sec (3.4 m/s)

except

14” (0.356m) and up sch. 80 < 10.2 ft/sec (3.1m/s)

If it is considered essential to use higher velocities, Instrument Group should

be consulted.

(5) Critical pump suction pressures should be checked using isometrics at the
earliest opportunity.